https://www.scmp.com/rss/522897/feed Ukraine’s air force, a vital military branch of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, is headquartered in Vinnytsia. Its core mission encompasses protecting national airspace, conducting aerial defence and providing crucial support for ground operations. Key activities span fighter, bomber, reconnaissance and transport aviation, complemented by anti-aircraft missile and radio-technical forces. The force has notably integrated Western aircraft, including F-16s, symbolising its modernisation and adherence... en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Reuters Reuters Russia fired a powerful hypersonic missile at Ukraine near the EU border overnight, in what ‌Kyiv called a new threat to European security that demanded a global response. Moscow said it had fired the Oreshnik missile in response ‍to what it has described as an attempted drone attack on one of President Vladimir Putin’s residences last month, which Ukraine has denied and the United States has said did not happen. It was only the second time Russia has fired the Oreshnik at Ukraine, and came amid... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3339327/russia-says-it-fired-new-oreshnik-hypersonic-missile-strike-against-ukraine?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3339327/russia-says-it-fired-new-oreshnik-hypersonic-missile-strike-against-ukraine?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 09 Jan 2026 08:34:45 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press When Russia’s full-scale invasion began nearly four years ago, a 26-year-old soldier known as Monka did not see a combat role she could do. But that changed as technology reshaped the battlefield and opened new paths. Last year, she joined the military as a pilot of short-range, first-person view, or FPV, drones after giving up a job managing a restaurant abroad and returning home to Ukraine to serve. Her shift is part of a larger trend of more women joining Ukraine’s military in combat roles, a... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3335455/technology-reshapes-modern-warfare-ukrainian-women-embrace-combat-roles?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3335455/technology-reshapes-modern-warfare-ukrainian-women-embrace-combat-roles?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 06 Dec 2025 09:40:48 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Russia targeted Ukraine’s capital with drones, killing three people in their homes, authorities said early on Sunday. At least 29 people were wounded, seven of them children, in the second consecutive nighttime attack on Kyiv to claim civilian lives. Ukraine’s Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said a 19-year-old woman and her 46-year-old mother were among the dead. Russian drones caused fires in two residential buildings in the capital’s Desniansky district. Emergency crews evacuated civilians... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3330401/3-dead-29-wounded-russia-targets-kyiv-drone-strikes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3330401/3-dead-29-wounded-russia-targets-kyiv-drone-strikes?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Oct 2025 17:15:59 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Russia accused Ukraine on Sunday of launching drone attacks that sparked a fire at a nuclear power plant in its western Kursk region overnight, as Ukraine celebrated 34 years since its independence. Russian officials said several power and energy facilities were targeted in the overnight strikes. The fire at the nuclear facility was quickly extinguished with no injuries reported, according to the plant’s press service on Telegram. While the attack damaged a transformer, radiation levels remained... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3322997/ukraine-marks-independence-day-russia-says-kyiv-has-struck-nuclear-power-plant?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3322997/ukraine-marks-independence-day-russia-says-kyiv-has-struck-nuclear-power-plant?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 24 Aug 2025 17:14:55 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Ukraine said it struck a Russian air base on Saturday, while Russia continued to pound Ukraine with hundreds of drones overnight as part of a stepped-up bombing campaign that has dashed hopes for a breakthrough in efforts to end the more than three-year-old war. Ukraine’s military General Staff said that Ukrainian forces had struck the Borisoglebsk air base in Russia’s Voronezh region, describing it as the home base of Russia’s Su-34, Su-35S and Su-30SM fighter aircraft. Writing on social media,... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3317112/ukraine-says-it-struck-russian-base-containing-fighter-jets-and-glide-bombs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3317112/ukraine-says-it-struck-russian-base-containing-fighter-jets-and-glide-bombs?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 05 Jul 2025 17:07:53 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Russia launched its biggest aerial attack against Ukraine, a Ukrainian official said on Sunday, part of an escalating bombing campaign that has further dashed hopes for a breakthrough in efforts to end the three-year-old war. Russia fired a total of 537 aerial weapons at Ukraine overnight into Sunday, including 477 drones and decoys and 60 missiles, Ukraine’s air force said. Of these, 249 were shot down and 226 were lost, probably having been electronically jammed. The onslaught was “the most... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3316298/russia-launches-biggest-aerial-attack-start-war-ukraine-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3316298/russia-launches-biggest-aerial-attack-start-war-ukraine-says?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 29 Jun 2025 17:21:02 +0000